THE R.A.F. GREAT WAR AND WAZIRISTAN OPERATIONS PAIR AWARDED TO A SOPWITH CAMEL PILOT WHO WAS SHOT DOWN BY 30 VICTORY ACE GERMAN JOSEF MAI OF JASTA 5. LATER SERVING IN THE WAZIRISTAN 1919-21 CAMPAIGN WITH 20 SQUADRON, HE WAS KILLED DURING A FLYING ACCIDENT AT QUETTA ON 16 MAY, 1924

BRITISH WAR MEDAL 1914-20 ‘2 LIEUT. E. C. USHER-SOMERS, R.A.F.’, INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1908-35, 1 CLASP, WAZIRISTAN 1919-21 ‘F./O. E. C. USHER-SOMERS, R.A.F.’

Lieutenant Edmund Cronin Ushers-Somers, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, was born on 28 January 1900 and having been educated at St. John’s College, Southsea, began his Great War service as a Lance-Corporal with the 2nd Hampshire Regiment in March 1917, later gaining a commission to serve with the Royal Naval Air Service (R.N.A.S.) on 30 October 1917. The following year, he joined the newly formed Royal Air Force. Serving with 46 Squadron near Bourlon Wood, he was taken prisoner on 17 September 1918 when his Sopwith Camel (F6226) was shot down near Hermies by German ace Josef Mai of Jasta 5 (Pour le Merite winner, but never awarded due to the war ending), his 26th of 30 Victories. Usher-Somes was repatriated just a few months later on 12 December 1918. He saw further service in Waziristan (1919-21) with 20 Squadron and later moved to India. On the 16th of May 1924 he took off from Quetta in Bristol Fighter D7821 of 20 Squadron, Royal Air Force, piloted by Flying Officer Edmund Cronin Ushers-Somers. The aircraft stalled shortly after take-off and crashed, killing both men. Lieutenant Usher-Somers died at the age of 24.

THE MEDALS

Usher-Somers clearly should be entitled to the Victory medal. However although Royal Navy Roll shows entitlement to the British War medal, noting it to be issued through the Air Ministry (as it was), it shows no entitlement to the Victory medal and no other rolls or MIC’s can be located. This can only be an error, perhaps caused by his forenames being variously entered at ‘Edmund Cronin’ or ‘Cronin Edmund’ on Navy and RAF lists etc.

Condition VF, contact wear to edges. Court-mounted for display. Sold with copy research. Ex D.N.W., 30 March 2011.